‘Hypersexualised’ and ‘misogynistic’ — Rebecca Kalam speaks out about West Midlands Police
‘Hypersexualised’ and ‘misogynistic’ — Rebecca Kalam speaks out about West Midlands Police
Plus: The Brummie film shortlisted at the Oscars
Good afternoon Patchers — welcome to your Monday briefing.
Today’s Big Story is about West Midlands Police. The force, which is currently in special measures, suffered another PR blow over the weekend after Rebecca Kalam, ex-firearms squad member and victim of sex discrimination gave her first interview since winning her case. Kalam has alleged institutional misogyny within the region’s police: we’ll be breaking down that interview.
At the weekend, Jack Walton sat down with Miles Routledge, a 24-year-old from Birmingham who found himself in the captivity of the Taliban last year. But unlike most who find themselves imprisoned by militant fundamentalists, young Miles emerged with words of praise for his captors. A strange tale, and one that proved controversial among our readers.
The response was…mixed? While Gary Cressman called it “tripe” and Ann Ford felt it was a waste of her time, stuartare came out to bat for us, saying it was “a good read as always”. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Norman said it was “Entertaining, informative and illustrative of a certain strand of current behaviour”. Which side of the fence are you on? Have a read and let us know:
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Weather
Tuesday: 🌧️No sunlit uplands or re-emergent spring just yet. Heavy rain for most of the day.
Wednesday: 🌚Another grey day. Thick cloud with little cheer.
Thursday: ☁️According to BBC weather boffins, a slight improvement: cloud, but less thick.
Friday: ⛅A promise of some sunlight but mainly showers on and off.
Weekend: 🌧️Light rain and showers on and off all weekend.
We get our weather from the Met Office and the BBC.
Big story: ‘Hypersexualised’and ‘misogynistic’ — Rebecca Kalam speaks out about West Midlands Police
Top line: West Midlands Police (WMP) is facing accusations of institutional misogyny after an ex-firearms squad member won a sex discrimination case. Rebecca Kalam has now given a big interview to The Times, and her witnesses are suing the force. On WMP’s response to the issue she said: “The barriers go up and they protect their own.”
Backstory: In January, 40-year-old Kalam was awarded £820,720 from WMP after winning a sex discrimination case. She joined the police in 2008 and worked her way up to membership of the elite firearms squad in 2012, but says she experienced constant misogyny. Kalam, who was one of only seven women among 235 men, was groped and stripped to her underwear during training. Officers even took bets on the size of her breasts.
Speaking out: On Sunday, The Times published Kalam’s first interview since winning her case. She recalled the “hypersexualised” environment of the squad where men would draw penises on whiteboards throughout the office and use nicknames for each other including “pedo”, “TFK” (which stands for Touchy Feely Kids), and “Visor” (a reference to the violent and sex offender register).
In one especially disturbing incident, Kalam says one of her colleagues pulled his shorts to the side in the police gym to expose his genitals to her while others laughed (this incident was not included in her civil claim).
Ritual humiliation: In an emergency medical drill in front of about 40 officers, Kalam was acting as a victim with a fake bullet wound in her leg. Unable to cut the baggy trousers she was wearing to the knee as expected, her fellow officers pulled them off. The fake bullet wound was then moved to her chest. She said:
“And so they cut off my top and I was lying there in my underwear. I just froze, while these hands were on top of my breasts….When the exercise ended I just lay there. I’ve never felt so humiliated or embarrassed in my life. And I carry a lot of shame that I didn’t say anything while it was happening.”
On top of the misogyny, Kalam claims racist and offensive nicknames were used by male officers over their police radios. These included one mocking Downs Syndrome and using “Chicken Tikka Masala” to refer to Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who lived in Birmingham between 2013 and 2017. At that time, she was a teenager who officers were in charge of protecting.
Escalation fears: Kalam, who no longer works in policing, says she fears serial misogynists similar to Wayne Couzens and David Carrick — who were both firearms officers — could be “operating in plain sight”. Couzens was guilty of three incidents of indecent exposure in the months before he murdered Sarah Everard. Last month, the report from the inquiry into the murder found three police forces missed these and other “red flags” including an attempted rape, and a kidnapping when vetting Couzens.
Further claims: Three of Kalam’s former colleagues (including her husband) who were witnesses in the case claim they have been victimised because of their contributions. They are now suing WMP too.
WMP have apologised to Kalam, and 18 officers and staff received advice and sanctions related to their conduct. The force’s Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green made the following statement:
“We again apologise for the serious issues raised by Mrs Kalam and for the significant impact that these have had on her. We acknowledged and accepted the issues she faced through an internal grievance process and the subsequent employment tribunal has now concluded.”
Photo of the week
Last week's photo (optimistically) captured a sun-dappled city centre canal, making us pine for the Spring ahead. Unfortunately, that hasn’t quite materialised — yet. But it doesn’t mean Birmingham can’t look great. Verity Milligan captured last week’s fog and drizzle, turning Navigation St into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a futuristic sci-fi epic. Lovely stuff.
Brum in brief
Birmingham and The Oscars: Last night Oscar fever hit crescendo as the awards took place in Hollywood. While the spirit of Birmingham was present at the very top — Best Actor Cillian Murphy previously starred in Peaky Blinders after all — a short film produced in Birmingham also made the Oscar shortlist. Cusp Film’s short The One Note Man stars Ian McKellen and Jason Watkins as well as a host of Brummie extras, with key scenes shot in Dudley Town Hall. Co-founder Michael Stevenson told The Dispatch: “Everyone [local Brummies] that came to be an extra had the best afternoon ever…and now we’re in Birmingham it’s about finding out what other resources are available.” Plans for a feature film are in the works, he added. An exciting time for Birmingham films when other cultural news is much more depressing.
After a four-year hiatus, Birmingham’s world-famous St Patrick’s day parade is returning with Irish myths and legends as its theme. Taking place on 17th March, the Irish Association said it will take place in Digbeth: “the spiritual home of the Irish in Birmingham”. Local schools, West Midlands Fire Service Float and Pipe Band, the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group, as well as the Chinese Community Centre will all be involved. It kicks off at midday. Details here.
A new chapter: With many of Birmingham’s indie bookshops getting national attention, bookworms will be pleased to hear that the old Bookshop on the Green in Bournville is re-opening as Green Heart Books in Edgbaston in early June. It will come with an in-house coffee shop. Director Sarah Mullen said: “Bookshops matter. They are a home from home, a sanctuary and a place of conversation.” More by clicking through.
Home of the week
This three-bedroom semi in Erdington has a beautiful wooden staircase, a large open-plan living area and a spacious landing. It’s available for £300,000.
Media picks
📰“The myth that British food is flavourless, bland and unimaginative is exploded by the history of the faggot.” So says Matt O’Callaghan, local cook, gardener and writer in his 2021 piece about the Black Country staple for Vittles magazine. While the popularity of the classic, offal-based dish is not what it used to be, O’Callaghan recounts its compelling history and significance to the region as a cheap and hearty fuel for those working in the factories and coal fields.
💻The Blues have had a difficult time of it lately, losing two managers in the past six months and finding themselves on a four-match losing streak. But you wouldn’t know it from watching DavoBirmingham1’s YouTube channel. With 35k subscribers, I’m evidently not the only one who enjoys watching Davo’s videos (and I’m not even a football fan). This one charts their trip to London to watch The Blues vs Millwall and it’s impossible to watch without laughing.
Things to do
Tuesday
🗣️For fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race, or anyone intrigued by how gender-fluidity interplays with fashion, art and storytelling, Sasha Velour will be at the Symphony Hall talking books, art and drag. Details here.
⚽Villa legend Paul McGrath returns to Birmingham to talk football, careers and rising to the top. He’ll be appearing at the Old Library in the Custard Factory complex. The event starts at 7pm.
Wednesday
📖In the last decade, four winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature have come from Fitzcarraldo. This week, one of the publisher’s authors, Balsam Karam, comes to Birmingham to talk about her latest book,exploring identity and loss. It’s at Voce in Digbeth; tickets are free.
🪩While both Dispatch writers are too tired to stay up much past 10pm on a weeknight, it would be both remiss and an affront to Birmingham’s heritage to not mention that new new Snobs, is opening this Wednesday on Broad Street. Tickets and details.
Thursday
⚽While we mentioned the reverse fixture last week, Aston Villa’s hopes of European glory are still in the balance as they host Ajax at Villa Park. It’s on TV sets at 8pm and tickets can be bought here.
🎤BAFTA-winning comedian Luisa Omielan brings her latest show, BITTER, to the Hockley Social Club. It promises to be crass, loud and emotional. All the details at a click.